1. Miranda rights are not only required when arrested, but when questioned in a "focus of suspicion".

2. There is no such thing as "shooting to wound". Not with a handgun in a close quarters combat situation- which is what you had BETTER be in if you claim self defense. You are shooting to stop the threat to your life. Not threat to your lawn, your dog, your beauty sleep, etc.

1. Miranda rights are not only required when arrested, but when questioned in a "focus of suspicion".

2. There is no such thing as "shooting to wound". Not with a handgun in a close quarters combat situation- which is what you had BETTER be in if you claim self defense. You are shooting to stop the threat to your life. Not threat to your lawn, your dog, your beauty sleep, etc.

Not being a lawyer I may be way off base here but asking that question on an open forum such as this may put you in jeopardy by some overzealous prosecutor. Arguing the merits of traveling to another state to possibly have to shoot a friend's neighbor just may fall within a premeditation criteria. Just my opinion.

Yea, kinda like saying "I'm going to take a coat to the movies in case it might be cold out when we leave for home."

Here's the drill JPyle: The guy hammers on the door and yells he is going to slit the throats of the dwellings occupants. He breaks the door in and enters the apartment. He is crazed looking and makes threatening jestures and advances toward the occupants in a threatening manner even though Upstatetiger warns that he has a weapon. This all happens in a matter of seconds. To protect himself and his friend, he fires.

__________________“If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.” ― Samuel Adams

I am not a lawyer nor am I in in any kind of position to offer legal council. What I can offer is good ol' common sense. Something to consider is that South Carolina firearms (perticularly handgun) laws are drastically different from the rest of the southern states. That is the reason why most concealed carry permits to not reciprocate to South Carolina. I would hate to see a law abiding citizen be arrested and lose their firearm because of their own lack of knowledge of state and local laws. Additionally, you would need to have many disinterested witnesses verifying your story should anything happen and if it is in an apartment building in a not so good section of town, good luck with that. As mentioned before, an over-zealous DA will make a very convincing argument as to whether or not you planned on a confrontation with intent to kill. If you feel that strongly for her safety, try finding a better location for her to reside and/or let her be the one to confront the bad guy with a firearm. If she isn't trained in their use, take her to the range and let her learn. Additionally, if you do take it upon yourself or she takes it upon herself to gather evidence against the drug addict, make sure it is of enough quality that you can clearly identify the person making the threats. The polilce are over worked as it is and they aren't going to put much effort into catching a small fish. My 2 cents worth then is this: try finding alternate suitable living arrangements and if that isn't an option, make sure she gets proper training in the use of firearms so she can defend herself should this knucklehead ever back up his words with action.

common sense says start recording with a video camera what is happening or tape recorder and call 911. you dont need a gun to solve every problem. guns are the last ditch things to save a life. using one will often solve one problem and start several more. retain a lawyer and write down everything that occurs.

getting actual legal advice from a real lawyer is a better thing to do then going gun shopping and reading replies from a gun forum. video/audio evidence and the old saying of "if you did not write it down it did not happen" is in play.